usfan
Well-Known Member
The influence of the Liar and Destroyer of humanity should not be overlooked or underestimated, in the unfolding history of man.
He is, very likely, THE most powerful factor, in promoting deception and lies, in the world of man. He is the father of lies, and has come to kill and destroy, even though he is a defeated foe.
There are 2 extremes, in considering the scope and power of the devil:
1. Fear him, and overestimate his power
2. Underestimate him, or depreciate his influence
Most people err in one of these 2 extremes. The most popular view of the enemy of humanity now, is to caricaturize the devil, and make him into a mythical joke. This is his work, too, to blind people to Reality.
It is not my goal here to empirically prove, or disprove the existence of the devil, but to address his outworkings, of deception and destruction, in the human experience. The evidence of a Great Deceptive Force, in the history of man, is obvious.
I will also relay some biblical facts, about the nature of this influence, in the world of man. As this is a deep and involved subject, and too long for a forum thread, my points will be general, and not expanded upon. I and others can happily expand and clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings about this constant menace to Truth and the individual soul.
1. He is a fallen Angelic being, rebelling against God, and took 1/3 of the angels with him
2. He was defeated at the Cross, when Jesus's blood paid the penalty for humanity's sin
3. He is a liar, and the father of lies
4. He comes to kill and destroy
5. He knows his time is short, and works tirelessly to destroy the relationship between God and man.
6. He has blinded the eyes of unbelievers, so they cannot see the redemptive work of Jesus.
7. Some humans are devoted followers of Satan.. and some completely unaware that they are.
8. He is the accuser, who tries to derail the redemptive process with false accusations and guilt trips.
Jn8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
2co4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel..
Rev12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray..
10 For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death...
12 But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
He is, very likely, THE most powerful factor, in promoting deception and lies, in the world of man. He is the father of lies, and has come to kill and destroy, even though he is a defeated foe.
There are 2 extremes, in considering the scope and power of the devil:
1. Fear him, and overestimate his power
2. Underestimate him, or depreciate his influence
Most people err in one of these 2 extremes. The most popular view of the enemy of humanity now, is to caricaturize the devil, and make him into a mythical joke. This is his work, too, to blind people to Reality.
It is not my goal here to empirically prove, or disprove the existence of the devil, but to address his outworkings, of deception and destruction, in the human experience. The evidence of a Great Deceptive Force, in the history of man, is obvious.
I will also relay some biblical facts, about the nature of this influence, in the world of man. As this is a deep and involved subject, and too long for a forum thread, my points will be general, and not expanded upon. I and others can happily expand and clarify any misconceptions or misunderstandings about this constant menace to Truth and the individual soul.
1. He is a fallen Angelic being, rebelling against God, and took 1/3 of the angels with him
2. He was defeated at the Cross, when Jesus's blood paid the penalty for humanity's sin
3. He is a liar, and the father of lies
4. He comes to kill and destroy
5. He knows his time is short, and works tirelessly to destroy the relationship between God and man.
6. He has blinded the eyes of unbelievers, so they cannot see the redemptive work of Jesus.
7. Some humans are devoted followers of Satan.. and some completely unaware that they are.
8. He is the accuser, who tries to derail the redemptive process with false accusations and guilt trips.
Jn8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
2co4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel..
Rev12:9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray..
10 For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death...
12 But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
